RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1919, Page 3

RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) J AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

GERMANS IN LETTLAND. LONDON, August 28,

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin corespondent states that General \ on Der Goltz’s troops which have been engaged to protect tLettland and Couiland from Bolshevism, refuse to evacuate these provinces and express their determination to seize estates there in payment for their services. They declare they will remain as outposts of the Homeland, especially in East Prussia against the Bolsheviks. They havo sent a mesasge to President Eibert demanding that they 'be settled on their own lands along the Baltic, according to promises. It is undoubtedly the policy of die Junkers, admits the correspondent, xu plant strong German colonies in !.drland gnd Courland in_ defiance of the Peace Treaty. General Von Der Geltz ignoring Allied orders, returned to Mitau, where he unsuccessfully attempted to restore order among his troops.'The latter overwhelmed Lettish regiments and plundered stores. The German Government has issued a proclamation ■stating the Government appreciates the troops’ disappointement but has no power to fulfil their wishes.

GERMANS -IN LITHUANIA. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, August 29. There are thirty-seven thousand German troops in western Lithuania, together with three thousand Russians, completely control the railways and openly refer to an approaching -Russo-German-Japanese peace understanding. They claim they captured Koltcbernst. All wear the German uniforms with Russian emblems. They have established well-organised headquarters at Shauli where there are 180 aeroplanes and one hundred motor cars. The ■ troops are billeted throughout the district, terrorising the population, stealing horses, requisitioning food and money and constantly destroying property. It is believed locally that the Germans are keeping up communication with the Bolsheviks at Dvinsk by means of aeroplanes, but the Germans boast they are preparing for an offensive against Petrograd .